1935 – 2013

WILTON — Adrian “Butch” Reed Wells Sr., 77, of High Street, Wilton, died peacefully in his sleep, Saturday, April 6.

Butch was born in Farmington, Aug. 12, 1935, a son of Vance and Bernice (Reed) Wells and received his education in local schools.

He was well known as the owner of W. S. Wells and Son Cannery that canned dandelions and fiddleheads. This was a family business passed on for four generations, with Butch Jr. the most recent owner.

He was known as the “Racer Chaser” while working at The Ski Rack in Livermore Falls and was well known for making Christmas Eve ski equipment deliveries to many area homes on his way home. The family was often up at the “crack of dawn” to hit the slopes. He also assisted many area high school ski teams with their waxing and repairs.

Many of Butch’s neighbors admired his love of gardening of both vegetables and flowers, and some were even “scolded” for picking without asking. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America for many years, having been an Eagle Scout and assisted several young men in the area in reaching the same accomplishment. He was a former member of the Wilton Lions Club, and he enjoyed watching the birds for hours in his backyard.

He leaves his children, Penny Ross and her husband, Brian, of Virginia, Pam Woodcock of East Wilton, and Butch Wells Jr. and his wife, Cyndi, of Chesterville; grandchildren, Trevor Ross and his wife, Sarah, and Andrew Ross, all of Virginia, Shain Woodcock and his wife, Gina, of Florida, Scott Woodcock and his wife, Jessie, of Livermore, Sam Woodcock and his companion, Nikki Wilkinson, both of Farmington, and Katie Wells of Massachusetts and Alex Wells of New York; two great-granddaughters, Scout and Summit of Livermore; brothers, Vance Wells Jr. and his wife, Ree, of Lincolnville, Art of Maine, and Dean Wells and his wife, Jeannine, of Wilton; sister, Shirley of Florida.

Butch was predeceased by his wife, Jeanne (Hutchinson) Wells after 50 years of marriage; a brother, Bob; and a sister, Connie.

Condolences and tributes may be shared with his family on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.